Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari, is visiting the United States this week, with international corruption just as high on the agenda as it was for his historic election campaign.

This was the first time an incumbent president has been defeated by popular vote in Nigeria. Nigerians were won over by a vision of a fairer society, and a desire to put a long history of predatory officials and corrupt companies conspiring to loot public funds behind us.

There are many examples of that history which tell us that we cannot win this fight without help from the U.S. and elsewhere. In one deal in 2011, two New York Stock Exchange-listed oil companies - Shell and Italy’s Eni - negotiated a deal with the Jonathan administration for the rights to one of Nigeria’s biggest oil blocks, called “OPL 245”. The $1.1 billion dollars should have been used by the Nigerian government to provide essential services, but it never reached state coffers. Instead, it was diverted into the private pockets of a corrupt former oil minister and his associates.

This was a devastating loss for Nigeria; $1.1 billion is half of Nigeria’s health budget. It could have gone into better schools to help curb rampant illiteracy, better healthcare, or better national transportation systems and roads.

It is also bad for Shell and Eni’s shareholders and investors: the deal is currently under criminal investigation in Nigeria, Italy and the United Kingdom; the CEO and former CEO of Eni are under formal investigation; and, $190 million in proceeds have been frozen. Although Shell and Eni deny wrongdoing, the deal could be cancelled, which would jeopardize both companies’ long-term strategic goals. It doesn’t need to be like this. Nigeria will need support from the international community to investigate systemic corruption, trace its stolen assets and prevent other dirty deals being carried out. One measure already agreed but not yet implemented would have exposed the payments for OPL 245 before they went astray. Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which Congress passed five years ago with bi-partisan support, requires companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges to publish their payments to governments for oil, gas and mining assets.

This simple transparency measure is backed by major investors, hundreds of civil society organizations and major oil companies, who recognize it as good for business and for society. But it is also facing fierce resistance from a dwindling group of Big Oil companies and their lobbying arm, the American Petroleum Institute, who pay lip service to transparency in public yet are doing all they can to gut these proposals behind the scenes. It still has not been implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Interestingly, had the SEC promulgated its first rule for the implementation of Section 1504 within 270 days, as it was mandated to do by Congress, it is debatable whether Shell and Eni would have continued with a deal in which they knew their payment would end up in private hands.

Corruption in Nigeria is not something that President Buhari or the Nigerian people can fight alone. The kind of state looting we are trying to put behind us is not possible without the collusion of companies and facilitators in the United States. That is why systemic solutions like the transparency measures in section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act are so important. Publishing a strong rule and ensuring international law enforcement cooperation are the least that the U.S. can do to help Nigeria in its fight for a fairer society. This will help Nigeria on the path to ensuring oil wealth is the basis for sustainable development, rather than a source of conflict and a magnet for corruption.

“Nigerian-American Leadership Council” Welcomes President Buhari to Washington-Pushes For New Standard of Governance and Service Delivery.

The “Nigerian-American Leadership Council (NALC)”, has been notified about President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation and arrival in Washington, for meetings with US Officials and some members of the Nigerian Diaspora including Executives of this Council. The leadership of this Council intends to participate in some of the forums during this event.

While the Council enthusiastically welcomes President Buhari to Washington, the Council intends to seize the opportunity of an impending interactive session to brief President Buhari on the Council’s initiatives, and perspective on pertinent issues in Nigeria, as well in US-Nigeria relations.

The Council is aware that security will top the agenda in the various meetings and forums during this visit. However, the Council also plans to call serious attention to the corruption in the public and private sectors in Nigeria, and to the impunity of the ruling class in Nigeria.

Unchecked Corruption in National InstitutionsIt is the Council’s factually based opinion, that unchecked corruption in the past few years in Nigeria, permeated some sacred institutions; including the security services, and the judiciary. Corruption in the security services and the judiciary go into the heart of Nigeria’s ability to thrive as a unified democracy. If unchecked, corruption could create a “free-for-all” cesspool that could drive Nigeria to the ground.

Security Agencies, the Judiciary and the Rule of LawThe judiciary and the security agencies should be totally immune from corrupt practices, especially at the top of their various hierarchies. Where the top officials of these agencies are found complicit in corrupt practices, they should ideally face much stiffer sanctions, because there actions may have compromised lives, and thereby endangered the survival of the republic they are sworn to serve. The “Rule of Law” must also be maintained at all times, during the process of prosecution.

Dangerous Compromises in Security and the Rule of LawProsecuting the war on terrorism may have actually become a cash-cow for some officials, who endangered the lives of troops in the front line, by their complicity in corruption. It has also been reported that internal leaks on behalf of Boko Haram by insiders who were induced by money, religion, or ethnic bias, did weaken the campaign against Boko Haram and compromised troops lives. Any such internal leaks should ordinarily call for charges for high treason and sabotage, with its attendant appropriate sanction.

We are also aware that “some” judges have compromised justice by accepting pay-offs to issue “not-guilty” rulings, and frivolous injunctions, in the face of overwhelming evidence of criminal wrong-doing by officials or business executives; especially top executives in the Banking industry. We have observed issuance of perpetual injunctions by Judges, which do not have any basis in law or facts. We note that sometimes it takes a foreign jurisdiction to get judgment or asset forfeiture from Nigerian ex-officials.

Reverence to AuthorityWe also perceive that there was limited reverence to presidential authority during the last administration, thus leading many officials and private sector executives to go on a plunder of public resources, without fear of presidential oversight, even in key agencies of the government.

This Council, with the assistance of US institutions, will begin to monitor assets that Nigerian Judges and other high officials acquire or transfer outside of Nigeria. We expect that at a minimum, that there would be sufficient reverence to President Buhar’s anti-corruption credentials, such that people would think twice about serious sanctions, before they plunder public resources under their watch.

Antics of the National AssemblyThe national assembly in Nigeria is another area of blatant ruinous governance. As stakeholders in Nigeria, and as a community that carry a disproportionate burden of Nigeria’s problems, we will be monitoring the national assembly in the near future, with the hope that they will redress the wrongs of the previous national assembly.

It remains simply ludicrous that the national assembly had the audacity to approve compensation for themselves that run into the millions per member, right under the nose of the suffering Nigerian masses, most of whom work hard but live like paupers. The salaries and allowances of Nigerian federal legislators (almost 2 million USD annually per Senator), is unheard of anywhere in the world. This top-heavy expense is not sustainable in a country where many people do not have running water, and are deprived of their salaries several months in a year.

Playing the Ethnic and Religious CardsWe note that Nigerian officials accused of high crimes frequently begin to invoke ethnic or religious undertones for their woes. It amazes us that Nigerians fall for these schemes by the accused, rather than waiting for the culprits to have their day in court.

These are the challenges that Mr. Buhari should address with a firm unwavering hand, we expect him not to fail Nigerians, and in essence lay the foundation for a future prosperous Nigeria where every citizen can aspire to a decent life.

About NALC:The Nigerian-American Leadership Council is the premier pre-eminent Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the United States; focused entirely on Nigeria. Adjudged by the US Media, as “A Powerful Voice” on US-Nigeria Affairs; the Council is the only NGO that maintains authoritative “rare access on both sides of the Atlantic”. The Council, which remains an independent Think-Tank, has also become the go-to organization in Washington, and in the United States, for all things Nigeria.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari Inaugural speech, after his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.

I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.

I thank all of you.

Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians.I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.

A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.

Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it. Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.

In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house.

Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins. What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria.

Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system. The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system.

For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.

Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.

However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.

My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure.

The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.

This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces.

Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.

The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.

No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.

Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.

Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation.Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar

There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries.

Muhammadu Buhari has won Nigeria's presidential polls, in the country's first election victory by the opposition.

His party said his opponent, the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, admitted defeat and congratulated him.

Gen Buhari was ahead of Mr Jonathan by at least two million votes.

Observers have generally praised the election but there have been allegations of fraud, which some fear could lead to protests and violence.

However, a spokesman for Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) party praised Mr Jonathan, saying: "He will remain a hero for this move. The tension will go down dramatically."

"Anyone who tries to foment trouble on the account that they have lost the election will be doing so purely on his own," the spokesman added in quotes carried by Reuters.

Finally the long wait is over. The opposition's Gen Buhari has won this pivotal contest.

This is a hugely significant moment in Nigeria's history. Never before has a sitting president lost an election and it feels as though Nigeria has turned a corner.

Since independence from Britain in 1960 there have been numerous coups and rigged elections. This poll has brought to the surface dangerous religious and regional differences. The outcome may be disputed by some and there is still a fear of violence.

But many Nigerians feel for the first time they have the power to vote out a government that is not performing well.

Results at 18:00 local time (18:00 GMT) showed Gen Buhari with 15 million votes, and Mr Jonathan with 12.8 million votes.

Mr Jonathan had led Nigeria since 2010, initially as acting leader before winning elections in 2011.

Nigeria has suffered from several attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people in its drive to establish an Islamic state.

Many voters have said that they believe Gen Buhari is better positioned to defeat Boko Haram.

The Igbo people around the country and South East political zone in particular will ultimately decide who will be next Nigerian president. The arithmetic is quite easy to understand and the only zone that does not necessary connected directly to the main political actors is the South East political zone. There are no Igbo vying to be president or vice president in any of the major political parties in the country. Therefore the process and the interim development empowers SE zone and Ndi-Igbo to be the centre of attraction and the deciding factor in the election.

The political party, be it Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or All Progressive Congress (APC) that is able to convince the Igbo people and South East political zone will definitely, comfortably and reliably win the presidential election in February 2015.

Geography also favours Ndi-Igbo in the fort coming election. The Igbo people are one group in Nigeria that are evenly distributed and naturally placed around the country. There is no state or geo-political zone in Nigeria that Igbo people are not a secondary major group after the indigenous population. The interesting thing is how the Igbo have methodically and assiduously assimilated in every corner of country, living peacefully and comfortably with rest of other groups and fellow Nigerians. The Igbo love of Nigeria and adaptation is pointing to future of Nigeria that is devoid of tribalism and nepotism. As far as Ndi-Igbo are concern the entire Nigeria is home be it north, south, east or west.

With this patriotism and Nigerian –eccentric comes a unique advantage that Igbo people enjoyed in Nigeria more any other group. They participated in all diverse cultures of Nigeria and speak almost all the major languages in Nigeria. At the core of Ndi-Igbo is a true Nigerian that accepts Nigeria as one nation. Therefore in 2015 election, Ndi-Igbo will reap the benefit for residing in every nooks and corners of Nigeria. For the path to victory must go through the contours of Igbo political landscape.

In Northern Nigeria despite the threat of Boko haram, Igbo people are still residing in all major centers of the northern Nigeria and they are fully assimilated and speak Hausa, Fulani and other indigenous northern languages brilliantly. In the south West Igbo people reside populously in Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of south western Nigeria.

No matter the propaganda in the media and on internet, Ndi-Igbo and SE have not made the final decision on who will get their precious votes and support. The battle ground for election decision and victory will not be in the North or South West because both parties PDP and APC have active presence in those regions and in the geo-political zones. Therefore the final battle ground is in South-East political zone; and whichever political party that sweeps the SE area and have the support of majority of Igbo will ultimately win the presidency in the forth coming election.

Emeka Chiakwelu, Principal Policy Strategist at AFRIPOL. His works have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes and many other important journals around the world. His writings have also been cited in many economic books, publications and many institutions of higher learning including tagteam Harvard Education. Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.
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The word 21st century is now ubiquitous and superfluous in any political and economic dialogue but its significance have not diminished nor become pliable.

21st century has been called the century of possibilities and at one point it has been called the African century. The 21st century is anticipated to be a century that Africa will put her house in order and take her place under the sun. Nigeria being the largest economy and most populous in Africa is expected to be in the vanguard.

The antecedent century was marked with African humiliation of conquest by European invaders, swiveled around slavery and colonialism. Therefore with the emerging 21st century, Africans in general and Nigeria in particular must assert themselves with innovative breakthroughs and scientific ideas in high technology, modern education and high standard of living to achieve sustainable freedom and true independent.

All things being equal, it is necessary, if not indispensable that the 21st century Nigeria must be a century of possibilities and political rebirth consolidated with enlightenment and optimum economic development. So, whatever happens in Nigeria politically could determine the sustainability of the country’s progress in 21st century,

Nigeria is gearing and getting ready for an important 2015 election in February. The two rivalry parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its major opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) have finally produced their presidential candidates. The incumbent Nigerian President Jonathan of PDP will be challenged by retired General Buhari of APC.

This is a serious election due to the circumstances that Nigeria found herself. Nigeria has surprise both her friends and foes on her economic and political sustainability especially on her continue existence as a corporate entity. Contrary to the proposition forwarded and propounded by naysayers Nigeria must continue to exist as a united country beyond their 2015 prediction of disillusion and meltdown. That is where the question of leadership comes in; Nigeria needs an intelligent, prudent, reliable, patriot, peaceful and unity conscious leader.

President Jonathan or General Buhari: who is the best candidate suited to be called the leader of 21st century Nigeria and who can lead Nigeria to the promise land. As I have aforementioned Nigeria is in a unique position. Economically speaking and despite the falling oil price, Nigeria has achieved an affirmative and quantifiable macroeconomics stability. Nigeria at the moment is the largest economy in Africa, no matter how you look at it, it is a great achievement. The economy is projected to grow at above 5 percent and inflation rate is below 9 percent and attraction of foreign investments conyinues.

Although, the nosedive of oil price is nibbling on the strength and value of naira due to overvalue US dollar and fervent aggressive currency speculators, the streams of foreign investments have not waned. Nigeria continues to have its low debt ratios which make it attractive to investors and inducement to leverage capital.

On the other side, Nigeria has some traceable and intractable problems with poverty and unemployment. The huge issue of Boko Haram and its destructive tendencies are threat to political stability especially in the north east of Nigeria in particular and the entire northern Nigeria in general.

The triumph over corruption must be comprehensive and long term. The defeat of corruption becomes sustainable when the political and social infrastructures are set up and effectively managed. The civic institutions including the security apparatus, courts and media must be independent and incorruptible. The citizens must be empowered to participate in creating a corrupt free society. The clergy, schools and moral leaders must be employed in the eradicating corruption. Our children and next generation of Nigerian leaders must be taught in schools on how corruption annihilates and minimize the wealth and wellbeing of a nation.

Nigeria needs a leader that understands and formulates economic policy that can be effectively communicate to investors and can be able to speak the language of economics to capitalists and potential investors. Nigeria needs a leader of purpose that can unite the country’s diverse population for the greater good of our country. Nigeria needs a visionary leader that comprehends how the 21st century world works and understands that a local action and decision have an international implication.

Emeka Chiakwelu, Principal Policy Strategist at AFRIPOL. His works have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes and many other important journals around the world. His writings have also been cited in many economic books, publications and many institutions of higher learning including tagteam Harvard Education. Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.
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Thank you Mr president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for letting Nigerians and indeed the whole world know Nigeria's political twosome liabilities by declaring that Gen Muhammud Buhari [retd] and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu are both responsible for Nigeria's unending political problems. It is indeed a resounding comments from Mr president.

Gen Muhammudu Buhari's legacy; war against corruption and indiscipline, and good fiscal policy are still an endless footprints on the sand of Nigeria's history. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu's eight years on the saddle of Lagos State as the executive governor is a testimony of ruggedness and commitment, having withstand former president Olusegun Obasanjo seizure of Lagos State allocation and also denied PDP onslaught in capturing Lagos State in the 2003 general elections.

These two political liabilities footprints and careers is intimidating enough. The dovetailing of Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], Congress for Progressive Change [CPC][, All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] to form All Progressive Congress [APC] is enough to create and instill fear in PDP''s bone marrow. The coast is getting clearer ahead of 2015 general elections.

With the impending sinking of PDP armada by the advancing All Progressive Congress battleships and armored personnel carriers [apc], PDP and Jonathan's media musketeers; Metuh, Okupe, Abati, and Maku are making a mountain out of a molehill. President Jonathans' footprints so far; crude oil thefts, N5.2tn frittered away, pension and fuel subsidy scams, failed contract award, Wadata plaza moonlight tales, and press gag, what president Jonathan should have concentrate on should have be, how far? Allow the electorates to judge comes 2015, Mr president.

There was a time my president couldn't afford a pair of sandal, now my president can afford N2billion banquet hall to eat, while 100million Nigerians goes home hungry daily. You can fool people some of the time, but cannot fool people all the time. Mr president, let Nigerians decide the main Nigeria political liabilities; Buhari, Tinubu, or Jonathan nay PDP. 2005 is already knocking, Mr president, let's wait!

Buhari and Tinubu; Advance Airborne warning Control System [AWACS], let Mr president consult the Prophets, Imams, Astrologers, Stargazers, Ouija board, Marabouts, Diviners, Palmistry, and Oracles to tell him the ominous signs and Nigeria's political unending liabilities, if Mr president is dreaming!

--

Taiwo Lawrence Adeyemi.

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Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails and where society becomes an organized conspiracy to oppress, neither persons nor property will be safe.” - Patrick Douglas (1886).

What is the problem with Nigeria’s democratic rule that worries General Muhammadu Buhari so much? Is justice denied in Nigeria? Is poverty tactically or openly enforced upon the masses? Is ignorance prevailing the society especially in the north from where the General hails? Is there an organized conspiracy to torment the underprivileged, oppress the will of the populace, suppress perceived opposition and massively loot the money of the people?

For some Nigerians, Buhari is overdue for retirement from the political scene of Nigeria. His efforts, according to this group, have grown from unpopularity to unpopularity that all he needs now is to be a political oracle for consultation and not being an errand play boy in the swampy wave of Nigerian politics. Just similar to former heads of state, he would maintain relevance when the need arises.

But others believe that Buhari is a unique type of humans who prefer to die for the cause they believe in than the cause to die before them. Buhari saw or at least heard all that happened in 1999 when Nigeria returned to democratic governance – how former President Obasanjo was imposed on the people. Buhari saw all that happened in 2003 reselection processes. He saw all the political eyesores of 2007 and another electioneering lopsidedness in Nigerian politics in 2011, having participated actively in the last three political dispensations. What of Nigeria’s democracy does Buhari detest?

Speaking from the mind of a frustrated patriot who, however, wishes that things should not continue the same way in Nigeria, he made a parable of the dog and baboon. Journalists, probably those who prefer the sensational aspects of speakers’ speeches picked on this, thus generating another heat in the already overheated politics.

Buhari wants a democracy where justice is enforced, where poverty is suppressed, where ignorance dwindles and where society becomes an organized one for unity, peace and development, so that citizens and their properties will be safe – a government of the people, by the people and for the people, not a government against the people, upon the people and cruel to the people, at least according to his perception.

However, in defence of Buhari’s democracy, many prominent Nigerians have made certain points that are relevant in resolving the political dust raised by this. It is left for posterity to judge and for the witnesses of today’s politics in Nigeria to decide which way is better for the country to tow.

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida alias IBB recently in Minna, the Niger State capital challenged journalists to go for translation training to guard against misinterpretation of viewpoints of speakers. This was at a function where seasoned journalists were present. This was surely in reference to General Buhari who spoke in Hausa language and was believed to be misquoted in the journalist’s attempt to translate Buhari’s statement. IBB clearly said, “I wanted to speak in Hausa but now that I see journalists here, I will speak in English because I do not want to be misinterpreted”.

Translation is a very difficult exercise and journalists should not even attempt translating people’s opinions from one language to the other. That is why some well-established news outfits employ the services of specialists in different local and international languages. That is why some of the media have the local versions of their newspapers once a week at least to summarize the happenings of the week in the local dialects of their common readers.

That is why some books which have undergone series of translation from one language to the other have lost their original meanings. In every language, there are loan words which cannot be rendered into an equal meaning with a single word in another language. This is a difficult task for the translators some of who would prefer to use the words as they are, but would give an interpretation in brackets.

Former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai was even harder and blunter in defence of General Buhari. el-Rufai believed that if things are allowed to continue the way they are in Nigeria today, then 2015 may never be witnessed by an entity called Nigeria. He hinged his defence for Buhari on the fact that the nation has witnessed bad elections since 1964 through 1983 and 1993, leading to the overthrow of the authorities whether at the state or federal levels.

“There is a pattern to this that people do not want to look at. That is why I was surprised when the government was trying to attack General Buhari because he said if elections in 2015 are rigged there will be violence. History has said that. So Buhari did not need to say it and it is the truth and the PDP should understand that if they rig the 2015, they will not survive the aftermath,” said el-Rufai.

Continuing, “They will not live to enjoy the fruits of their rigging. They should understand that everybody is up to his necks in anger and frustration. Take it anywhere. They need to understand that is not Buhari talking; ask any man in the street, they will tell you the same thing. All this talk about 2015, in my opinion is a distraction,” the former Abuja boss insisted.

Deputy Minority Whip and CPC House Caucus Leader, Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad took a swipe on those who seem afraid of doing the right thing in Nigerian polity. Muhammad was of the opinion that the current dangerous wave of crisis and insecurity in the North was a game plan by the Presidency to give the impression that the North is making good governance difficult for the President and discredit its leaders in order to attract sympathy from within and outside the country. He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to demilitarize the North and evolve a more civilized and technology driven strategy for security surveillance and operations.

“No matter how Buhari is despised or whatever any thinks about his views, he would remain unruffled, resolute, blunt, bold and daring to call a spade a spade anywhere, anytime. Whenever Buhari sneezes, the PDP catches cold and the Presidency get feverish. Therefore, if they are frightened by the dog and baboon theory, they must conduct a credible election in 2015 and we cannot be fooled again,” the CPC House Caucus Leader averred.

In a related development to journalism, the director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri recently while receiving the leadership of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D urged journalists to be thorough in their investigation of event before relaying them to the public, as according to him, “the more responsible the media is, the more credible it would be because foreign media rely considerably on the local ones.”

Chief Moses Oyinlayefa and Comrade Peter Izonkeme, president and secretary respectively of Izondeinyefa Renaissance Movement, in defence of General Buhari, acknowledged that Buhari spoke in Hausa language, such statements from which a translation was made into English. The translation read, “God willing, by 2015 something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way. If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would be soaked in blood”.

The group condemned the rigging of elections in any form but warned that those who desire to rule Nigeria with a view to plunder resources of the Niger Delta should be reminded that such action would be resisted in any form. Oyinlayefa and Izonkeme appealed to General Buhari to desist from making inciting statements and allow the President to concentrate on the job of governance. They said, “If President Jonathan fails to deliver on his promises in an atmosphere devoid of threats of war in the next three years, then the electorates will decide his fate in 2015.”

They threatened to deploy any necessary means to defend their OWN from any threat, in accordance with the fact that no individual, section or group(s) of Nigeria has the monopoly of violence.

In his article Nigeria: the systemic reduction which appeared on the weekend edition of Peoples Daily on May 26, 2012, Ibrahim Sulaiman was of the opinion that the Nigerian people were losing control over their political destiny to foreigners. According to him, the nation’s Democracy Thieves (DT) – the supreme cabal – have stolen the lion share of Nigeria’s democracy. All the cabals and all the thieves in the oil industry, in the telecom industry, in the banking industry, in governance industry and in all other sectors are very active in the political sphere and have almost wrested democracy from the Nigerian people. They handle democracy in exactly the same manner as they handle oil. Oil flows in their direction and in their interest, so must democracy.

Which democracy will save Nigeria: PDPsm, Buharism, Tinubuism or Nigerianism?

Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of humanity and good governance based in Abuja. E-mail
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OPINION

"I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before anyone even at the cost of your life". -Mahatma Gandhi.

The candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the last presidential election and former head of state, General Mohammed Buhari in Kaduna last week predicted revolution which he said could take any form which the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) will not be able to cope with. He based his prediction on the absence of what he called social justice in Nigeria. For someone who ruled via a coup to achieve political objective, this may not mean anything.

However, Nigerians are not unfamiliar with such comments from the General. We could recall his directive to his followers "to deal with whoever tries to rig this election", which tantamount to asking people to take laws into their hands. It backfired as thousands of streets urchins went on rampage during and after the April 2011 presidential election, leaving blood and tears in its trails in some parts of the north. Those CPC members with milk of human kindness in them must have regretted what happened.

General Buhari was at first in support of the electoral processes, particularly when Professor Jega was appointed the Chairman of INEC. But he later changed his mind by pouring venomous comments on the process when the outcome wasn't favourable to him. These were comments enough to paralyze the system. Unfortunately, General Buhari had strong opinions of all the international and local observers to contend with since they had applauded the elections.

The recent bashing and discrediting of the Nigerian political practices by General Buhari is seen as another calculated attempt to diminish the legitimacy of the incumbent. And to do it effectively, he had to position himself politically by breaking his solemn promises. First, he broke his promise not to go to court if the presidential election was not favourable to him. Second, he broke his promise not to contest again if he lost2011 presidential election. General Buhari went full hug to get judgment from the courts. And now he may even contest the next presidential election at the age of 74 years in 2015. He will be setting a record of being the oldest to ever contest presidential election in the history of Nigeria.

One may want to ask what could be responsible for the vacillation between promises and breaking of promises and what they impact on the psyche of General Buhari's political followers. It seems this creates a perception for followers that when all is lost for your political leader's ambition to be realized; you set yourself on the desperate and violent path. You are encouraged to try alternative route to liberal democracy and that visible alternative is violence and anarchy. Little wonder there were sporadic violence and senseless killings after the last presidential election. The Sheikh Ahmad Lemu committee that investigated the violence that followed the last presidential election was able to draw this linkage which the CPC leadership did not agree with.

General Buhari's prediction of revolution has been addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who noted that that the statements had disqualified him as a democrat, pointing to the 1983 coup that truncated a democratic government. In days that General Buhari was the maximum military ruler of Nigeria, it would have been treason for any democrat, human right activist or ordinary Nigerian to speak glibly of expectation of revolution. Chief Metuh did not add this to his response to General Buhari, and it would have made some sense. General Buhari ruled then with a fist of iron. Those were times when even your thoughts could be read and considered treasonable by the state. It was a time when governance lost all its human face.

One could also recall other combustible statements from the leadership of General Buhari's CPC, calling on voters to use "means" to defend votes and also their pledges to make Nigeria ungovernable if General Buhari lost the 2011 presidential election. All these statements put together were forerunners to the violent turn that the political culture is witnessing today.

If we go back in time a little, we will recall that the General Buhari's political party, had been accused of aggravating political tension through inciting statements made by its leadership during the April 2011 elections. For instance many had expressed bewilderment that the violence that accompanied the election targeted political opponents and were only widespread in places where CPC had majority support and won the election. It was enough for analysts to conclude that CPC had premeditated violence, planned to discredit the electoral process and cause anarchy. CPC explanation that the violence was spontaneous certainly did not hold water against the background of the above mentioned facts.